Was anxious but eventually bent over the resistance of the scoring indifferent but militant Zalgiris or Efes!
Luca Banki’s team saw the Lithuanians return from -19 and equalize in the fourth period, but … he was serious about the “final straight” of the race, celebrating the victory with 87-77 And taking the direct qualification to the playoffs of this year’s Euroleague, where he will probably face Panathinaikos (unless Barcelona is defeated at home to Bologna).
Top for the winners who improved their record in 20-14 After their 8th consecutive victory and enter … Post Season, were the Larkin (13p, 4 assists), Noera (13p, 5 ribs), Smitz (11p) and Dozier (11p) and Thompson (9p, 8 assists), while for Zalgiris, who completed her obligations in this year’s Euroleague with 15 wins and 19 defeats, stood out Francisco (12p, 5 assists) and Ulanoba (12p).
The match:
The match began with Efes finding its footsteps and imposing its pace after the original 4-4, taking the lead with 10-4 and Osmani already having 6 points. Zalgiris reduced to 12-10, but the hosts closed the first season by making a series of 10-4 for their favor 22-14!
Zalgiris was left without a 3,5-minute point at the start of the second period, with Efes taking advantage of the occasion and launching the difference in +19 (33-14). Francisco with consecutive points gave him solutions to Zalgiris’ attack, with Wong reducing to 36-22, with Luca Banki’s team continuing to completely control the pace of the match, going to the locker room at +12 (49-37).
Efes was maintained at a “safety distance” and in the first minutes of the third period, before Ulanova was a three-point lead, throwing a single-digit difference after a long time (58-49). Efes with a small 6-0 series returned to +15 (64-49), Zalgiris responded with her own 9-0 for 64-58, while approaching 68-64 thanks to Sirvid’s consecutive three-pointers before Briad formed the 71-64.
Elijah Bryant ??#Everlygamematters pic.twitter.com/wdlbboxu0f
– Turkish Airlines Euroleague Turkiye (@euroleaguetur) April 11, 2025
Zalgiris continued its counterattack in the first few minutes of the fourth period, approaching a “shot distance” (71-69) with Francisco’s nail and three-pointer, and shortly thereafter managed to equalize to 73-73! Having seen her opponent come back, Efes … was serious, tied her defense and made a 10-0 run, escaping 83-73 and eventually celebrating the victory with 87-77!
The quarters: 22-14, 49-37, 71-64, 87-77
The statistics of the match
Source: Sport Fm
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